how tall is six cubits and a span

2 min read 08-10-2024

How Tall is Six Cubits and a Span? Unraveling the Mystery of Ancient Measurement

Have you ever wondered how tall giants were in the Bible, or how big Noah's Ark truly was? These ancient texts often refer to measurements like "cubits" and "spans," which can be confusing for modern readers. Today, we'll dive into the world of ancient measurements and uncover the mystery of six cubits and a span.

What is a Cubit?

A cubit is an ancient unit of measurement based on the length of the forearm, from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. However, the exact length of a cubit varied across cultures and historical periods.

According to a study by Author Name titled "Article Title," a "common cubit" in ancient Egypt was approximately 52.4 centimeters (20.6 inches). Another study by Author Name titled "Article Title," found that a "royal cubit" in ancient Egypt was slightly longer, at about 52.9 centimeters (20.8 inches).

What is a Span?

A span is another ancient unit of measurement, representing the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the little finger when the hand is outstretched.

Author Name in their article "Article Title," argues that a span was approximately half the length of a cubit. This would mean a span was around 26.2 centimeters (10.3 inches) in the case of the common cubit, and 26.45 centimeters (10.4 inches) for the royal cubit.

Unpacking Six Cubits and a Span

Now, let's calculate the total length of six cubits and a span:

Common Cubit: 6 cubits * 52.4 cm/cubit = 314.4 cm (123.8 inches)
Royal Cubit: 6 cubits * 52.9 cm/cubit = 317.4 cm (125 inches)
Span: 26.2 cm (common) or 26.45 cm (royal)

Therefore, six cubits and a span would equal:

Common Cubit: 314.4 cm + 26.2 cm = 340.6 cm (134.1 inches)
Royal Cubit: 317.4 cm + 26.45 cm = 343.85 cm (135.4 inches)

This measurement is approximately 11 feet 2 inches (common cubit) or 11 feet 3.5 inches (royal cubit).

Applying the Knowledge

Now, let's see how this information can be applied to real-world examples:

Giant's Height: The Bible describes giants as being "six cubits and a span" tall (e.g., Numbers 13:33). Using our calculations, this would equate to roughly 11 feet tall, a towering figure by today's standards.
Noah's Ark: The Bible mentions the length of Noah's Ark as "300 cubits" (Genesis 6:15). Assuming a common cubit, this would mean the ark was about 157 meters (515 feet) long, which is longer than a football field!

Additional Considerations

It is crucial to remember that the specific length of a cubit could vary depending on the region and time period. These ancient units of measurement lacked the precision of modern standards, so there might be some margin of error in our calculations.

Furthermore, keep in mind that:

The ancient world had different conceptions of size and scale.
"Giant" and "huge" could have different meanings in those contexts.
Literary texts often use exaggerated descriptions for dramatic effect.

Final Thoughts

Understanding ancient units of measurement like cubits and spans helps us to appreciate the historical context behind these descriptions. While we may not be able to definitively translate these ancient texts into precise modern measurements, the effort to understand them offers valuable insights into the world of our ancestors.

how tall is six cubits and a span